Bord Gais has decided to extend the natural gas network from Bray to Arklow, via Wicklow town, at a cost of £10 million (€12.7 million). The company will install more than 24 kilometres of pipeline and gas will be available in towns along the route like Kilcoole and Rathnew.

About 7,000 homes in total will have access to natural gas after the pipeline is completed. Construction begins in May and gas should be available from September 2000, a company statement said.